Aug/Sept 2021 – Ramsgate and Ipswich

22nd August – Sunday – Eastbourne to Ramsgate

Another 06:00 start to make the passage to Ramsgate, past Dungeness Power Station in choppy sea.  We pushed the tide for 4 hours, the sea state was rough, and we got a drenching with a sharp quick shower of rain.  After Dungeness we caught the tide and surfed past Dover at 8.8 knots.  Dover was an option but the tide was with us so we pressed on to Ramsgate.  Arriving with yacht Enixus, who we shared a lock with early in the morning.  9 and a half hours to make the 62.5 miles.  We prefer to set off early and arrive in the afternoon.

We then spent 12 nights in Ramsgate waiting for a weather window.  We wanted a good day for the last big sail of the year.  The Northerly winds have been relentless around the South-East this summer and so it proved to be.

23rd August – Monday

After a relaxing day, our friends Mark and Dawn came to Ramsgate for a meal and a catch-up.  We realised it had been 5 years since our last meet up in Ramsgate, so lots to talk about.  We went to an old fashioned Italian Restaurant on the promenade.  The other two Italians were fully booked, as was the Thai.  The food and company were great.  The waiting staff was a little ‘Two Soups’ but made for a leisurely meal.  Thanks for taking the time to visit, it is appreciated.

24th to 26th August

Ian and June from ‘Enixus’ came for drinks and then they reciprocated 2 days later, when they recommended the Hornby Museum.  We had lots of sailing stories to swap.

Coastal walk and Fish and Chips at Sunrise, on Queen St, much better than the one on the promenade.

27th August – Friday – Hornby and Margate

We caught the ‘Loop’ bus (£9 for 2 all day) to the Hornby Visitor Centre, the stop after the Westwood Shopping Centre.

The next few paragraphs will appeal to some, more than others.  It you have any interest in model railways, Triang, Scalextric, Pocher Models, etc., this is the place for you.  As an only daughter I was the proud owner of a trainset or two.  So the nostalgia button was pressed.

Well lit display cases of classics like The Flying Scotsman and Sir Nigel Gresley.

Scalextric display with large track to play with, of course we did.

Bond Cars

Several large layouts. 

And the ultimate Pocher Model Cars, with a Yellow Lamborghini.

We spent a couple of hours at Hornby, at only £5 for adults and £2.50 for concessions it is good value, with a huge shop, if that is your thing.

We then hopped back on the bus to Margate for lunch.

From the bus we went for a quick look around the Turner Contemporary Gallery, which is not weathering well, currently displaying truly bizarre exhibits, saved by the Turners and a very interesting set of dozens of paintings of ‘Things you can no longer see’  eg. Hanging Gardens of Babylon, very clever and moving.

The Old Town is thriving with food outlets and quirky shops.

Lunch at a promenade café.   Then walked the length of the beach to Dreamland.

How we missed this on previous trips I have no idea.

An old fashioned pleasure garden with rides and stalls, the rides are currently limited due to Covid, it is now being used for open air concerts.  It was nice to just walk around, I used to love walking round Blackpool Pleasure Beach before the new ticketing came in, and we always bought a drink and something to eat.

A Grand Day out.

28th Aug to 1st Sept

29th August - We walked the coast the other way (left from the marina) to Pegwell Bay.

This replica Viking ship ‘Hugin’ was sailed here in 1949 by 53 Danes to commemorate the 1500th anniversary of the arrival of Hengist and his brother Horsa, two Saxon Chieftains who landed in nearby Ebbsfleet.  Hengist became the first Saxon King of Kent.

The cliffs at Pegwell Bay, two nice pubs greet the weary walker.

More seaside humour on the walk back.

31st September – We walked to Broadstairs, two miles from Ramsgate.

Broadstairs from the cliff path.

On the Timeout website it says, ‘If you only do one thing in Broadstairs….’ Morrellis is a must.  Serving Ice Creams since 1932.

Knickerbocker Glory for him, Black Forest for her…..lunch.

Thank goodness it was 15k steps round trip today, to walk some off.

2nd September 2021 – Ramsgate to Ipswich

We had originally intended to go to Brightlingsea from Ramsgate, but as the days passed and the wind stayed strong Northerly the option disappeared. 

After 12 days on a windy, rocky mooring we departed at 06:00 to make our 62 mile trip to Ipswich.  14 hours in total, the first 11 were the worst.  Despite waiting for the best day we still had North Easterly winds, cross tides across the Thames Estuary, cold wind, and several wettings as the sea spray came over the bow.  The wind had been relentless and the sea was very churned up.  We rocked, rolled, bucked and were tossed around for several hours.  We then got a good tide into Harwich, but still rocky.

We passed Felixstowe docks and thought we saw a famous ship.

But no, it was the Sister ship to the famous Ever Given, the Ever Goods.  Still massive and impressive.

We finally had a peaceful, calm and uneventful trip up the River Orwell and under the Orwell bridge into the lock at Ipswich.  We were issued with a temporary berth and moved the day after.

This marks the official end of our circumnavigation of the UK, through the Caledonian Canal, that we started in 2019.  With two enforced stops in Troon, Scotland and then Conwy, N. Wales due to Covid.  After 35 Ports, 1,830 nautical miles, we congratulated ourselves.

We have visited 15 Ports, and completed 702 nautical miles this year.

It has been a different year to normal.  Due to the vast increase in staycations, everywhere has been busy.  Marinas have been full and have needed more forward planning to make sure we had a mooring to go to.  Restaurants have been full and have also needed booking.  The spontaneity of life at sea has been restricted.  The increase in camping has led to shortages in Gas supplies.  We have also witnessed some shocking sailing and maneuvering from novice sailors, who have decided to buy a boat.

But despite that we appreciate how lucky we are to spend the summer afloat.  Lots of blue sky days and smooth seas, along with the choppy ones.  So many Dolphins.  Great catch-ups with friends old and new.  3 months of doing what we love doing.

Thank you for reading.  Until next time….wherever that might be.

Late August 2021 – Brighton and Eastbourne

14th August – Saturday – Cowes to Brighton

We left the large pontoon at the Folly Inn on the Isle of Wight at 5.50am.  It was beautifully calm and peaceful.  Cowes is rarely so quiet, we even managed to sneak out before the ferries started.

Cowes, Isle of Wight

Since our last sail past, several sets of Navigation Lights for the New British Aircraft Carriers, HM Queen Elizabeth and HM Prince of Wales, have appeared in the entrance into Portsmouth harbour.

The Solent Forts have had a spruce up too.  They have been converted into hotels, for the more adventurous.

Starting cloudy and warm, the day turned sunny and hot.  A gentle morning roll became rock and roll into Brighton at 15.30, after 54 miles.

15th August – Sunday – Brighton

Our friend Andy AKA ‘Dolly’ arrived at the boat at 11.00.  He has been having his own Grand Summer Adventure touring and working the festival circuit.  Smaller festivals have been the order of the day this year.  He has his own campervan and had been in Brighton for a couple of days.  He cycled to the marina where we had a Sunday Brunch Fry Up onboard and a catch-up.  We then all walked into town and locked up Dolly’s bike.

The zip wire is new since our last visit, and the old Volk’s Light Railway is still working (right).

We then walked the length of the pier and towards the route for the ‘Naked Cycle Ride’.  From the programme we thought as it was 2.30pm we had missed them.

So we went to find refreshment in a Wetherspoons near the Pavilion.  As we came out at 3.30pm the cyclists were passing by.

Hundreds of cyclists take part with the aim of ‘empowering’ participants in a celebration of bikes and body power.  It has been taking place for 15 years and finishes at the nudist beach.  Body paint and various decorations make for a colourful display.

After the excitement we went for a sit in the pavilion grounds and to listen to the Brass Band, with ice creams of course.

We walked the Lanes and onto North Laine, where Dolly had found the Prince Albert pub.

Oh go on then.

We ended a splendid day at the Curry Leaf Cafe in the Lanes.  Dolly found this too, top chap.  It was Southern Indian Cuisine, slow cooked and fragrant.

After eating we parted company, he cycled to his campervan, and we meandered down the prom to the marina.  Great day, lovely to see you Dolly, thanks for finding some great pit stops xxx.

We had Monday off.

17th August – Tuesday

After a Wetherspoons breakfast at the Marina we caught the number 7 bus into town, £5 all day ticket.  We could not face walking the prom again. 

We headed for the North Laine area, which is 4 streets of shops, which follow on from each other, you just think you have come to the end and then find another, I love it.  All life is here.  It is the busiest place we have been to since the restrictions were eased, but we are still wearing masks indoors.

Sorry, more food, at the Brass Monkey Ice Cream Parlour.  We haven’t had any cake since, the pieces were so big we struggled to finish them.

Needing to walk it off, we aimed for the beach.  These small shops in the archways were being constructed during our last visit.  They are perfect the independent traders.

Another Grand Day Out in Brighton.

18th August – Wednesday

A good walk was needed.  The weather was too windy to sail. 

I had spotted this walkway, called The Undercliff, the day before.  We were blown towards Rottingdean, the next small town, heading east, approximately 2 miles away.

Rottingdean appears to be proud of its history.  Sadly its name does not sell it so well.  Derived from the ‘Valley of the Rota people’ who were the Saxon inhabitants.  It came to prominence with the wool trade and then as the home of Artists and Writers.

The village pond marks the centre of the village.

‘The Elms’ was the home of Rudyard Kipling from 1897 to 1902, where he wrote the ‘Just So’ stories.  He left when the tourist arrived.  His garden however is a lasting legacy.

Entrance to Kipling’s Garden, bought from the estate by the Rottingdean Heritage Group and open to the public for free.

A rose garden and herb garden, amongst others, including a crocket lawn and a peaceful spot to rest for a while.

 

Sir Edward Burn-Jones and his wife Elizabeth lived in Prospect House from 1880 to 1898.  They were instrumental in their nephew Rudyard Kipling and PM Stanley Baldwin, making their homes here.

St Margaret’s Church.

 

Famous for several of Edward Burn-Jones stained glass windows.  Burn-Jones and William Morris were founding partners in the original business designing the famous ‘Morris’ textiles, ceramics, jewelry, tiles and tapestries.

The village was an unexpected treat.  The walk back against the wind was more arduous.

Sailors Info : Brighton Marina

The flats which were being constructed on our last visit are complete.  There is a comprehensive choice of eateries around the Marina Village and an ASDA.

The facilities have been substantially refurbished and make a big difference to a stay here.

£37 per night.  Wifi poor.  Laundry £6.  Easy access into town via buses and small tram.  It is a 50 minute walk to the pier.

Sailors will be pleased to see that the dredger is in constant use and is improving the depth on entry and throughout.

19th August – Thursday – Brighton to Eastbourne

Due to the tide we left Brighton at 05.45 to round Beachy Head at slack water.

Beachy Head.  It was a rocky morning until we rounded Beachy Head, I don’t think we have ever had a smooth passage here.  The sea state improved as we got into the lee of Beachy Head and headed to Eastbourne.

The picture of the lock shows just how much water is pumped in and out as the locks are operated.  Look at the marks on the walls compared to the level of the sea outside.

A short trip at only 22.6 miles taking just over 4 hours.  But very important to get right.  I steered for most of the first 3 turbulent hours and was grateful of a rest for the last hour.

Unusually I went to bed in the afternoon, the early start and extreme helming had finished me off.

20th August – Friday – Eastbourne

Another marina which is located out of town.  We walked for over an hour to reach the pier.

It was a sunny and blustery day.  View from the pier.

The pier has had a facelift since our last visit and is much improved, but not yet finished.

Eastbourne is a fine old English seaside town and has the buildings to prove it, along the sea front.

There is a large modern shopping centre behind the promenade and plenty of cafes and independent shops.

We ended the day in the Thai restaurant on the Marina.  One of the best we have had.  We booked again for Monday but sadly had to cancel as we got a weather window on Sunday.

Sailors Info: Eastbourne Marina

Sovereign Harbour is huge and is surrounded by many, many flats.  There are restaurants and shops, with an ASDA and other large retailers nearby.

The facilities are old school by very clean.  Socket available.  Laundry £5.40 but we had to use it this time.  Wifi poor.  £37 per night.

The only drawback is the long walk into town.  Cycling would be quicker.

We have not encountered any migrant boats so far, but the guy next door in Eastbourne arrived the following day and had seen 3 boats and numerous patrol boats.

Next stop Dover…..no Ramsgate.

Mid August 2021 – Portland, Lymington and Isle of Wight

4th August – Wednesday – Brixham to Portland

At 54 miles, we have a long day ahead, starting at 06.30 from Brixham.  We waited for 3 fishing vessels to exit the harbour before us.  It is only fair, they are working.  Weymouth harbour is pretty full, reports of rafting 4 deep, so we opt for Portland nearby.

It was a truly balmy day, sunny and glassy calm.  It is a perfect Dolphin day and so it proved, we lost count, with some large groups too.  The sun canopy was up all day.

There had been reports of large clouds of flies landing on boats in Lyme bay.  They turned out to be very small flies, but there were hundreds.  I used a fluffy duster to waft them away.  If they catch the wind they disappear.

 

Portland Bill Lighthouse.  We pass three miles off to avoid the over-falls.

Sad to see the fabulous Queen Mary II anchored in Weymouth Bay, with two others.  Good times, can’t wait for our next voyage.

We gently rolled into Portland Harbour at 17.15pm, approx 11 hours since departure.  We entered into the vast harbour, outer wall, via the East entrance as advised by Port Control, and proceeded to the Marina.  No need to put fenders out in the channel, there is plenty of time once through the harbour entrance.

5th August – Thursday

At this point I could write.  Went nowhere for 3 days as it blew a hooley and rained persistently.

Over the next 3 days between showers we blogged, went for dinner at the Marina restaurant (just to get off the boat), Mick went up the big hill for fuel, twice, Lidl, Washing, walked to Castletown in a gale, Mick helped people to save their boat, why on earth did they go out? and walked to Chesil Beach, in a gale.  The boat was never still rocking on its mooring.  Thank goodness we had no visitors.

Portland is an Island attached to the mainland by a causeway.  Famous for Portland Stone, which built St Paul’s Cathedral.  Chesil Beach is on the other side of the causeway from the marina.  It is a shingle beach.  A local told us that all the windows of ‘The Cove’ pub were once broken by the pebbles being blown ashore in a storm.

They still have a sense of humour though.

8th August – Sunday

We had noticed that the Castletown D-Day Centre is closed on a Monday, so it was today or never.

It is a small but perfectly formed museum, relating the story of D-Day from the American perspective and it’s influence on the people of Portland, concerning the build-up and American occupation.

Entrance, don’t miss going up the stairs after viewing the museum.

Replica Spitfire hanging from the roof.  The museum is very hands on and all visitors are encouraged to touch the exhibits and clamber on the tanks, vehicles, munitions etc.  I was shocked at how heavy a rifle of the period is.  It must have been so tiring to carry day in day out.

Picture of Jeep for Jonathan C.

In the harbour at Castletown outside the museum are the two remaining Mulberry Harbour Caissons which were manufactured around the coast of Britain before D-Day.  They are referred to as phoenix’s as they were sunk to be hidden and refloated/risen when required.  148 were used, and they came in different sizes.  They were linked together to form two Mulberry Harbours at Omaha and Gold Beaches.  These are approx 60m Long x 20m Wide x 15m High and weighed 7,700 tons.  They were towed to Normandy by two tugs each at about 3 knots.  They were used for more than 6 months after D Day.  A number were then towed to Holland to re-enforce Dykes which had been damaged.

My lasting impressions were that the museum is heavily biased on the American story of the period.  My Dad who took part in the D-Day landings, and always said ’You would think the Yanks won the war, if you watch films’, and it felt the same here.  However, the effect that the Americans living in the area, had on the local population, is very well documented.  Featuring many locals and their stories.  One lady on a video said, ‘D-Day was the saddest day in Portland, as all our friends left as once’.  However awful, it must have been exciting in this sleepy town.

9th August – Monday

Bus trip to Weymouth.  We caught the number 1 Portland Weymouth Shuttle Bus.  £5 return.  If you catch the bus on the Marina side of the road, you will get a bonus trip around Portland Bill.  Passed ‘The Heights’ with great views, also passed the Detention Centre and Prison.  There is only one road off the island for escapee’s.

Weymouth from the Bridge.  The boats were rafting up around the corner.  The marina was also full.

The town and beach were very busy, so we crossed over the Bridge to the South side, which was a bit quieter.  Sadly the old Brewery Antiques centre only opens at weekend at present, but we found a lovely square with a shady café for lunch.

 

Sadly we missed a message from my cousin Michael and his wife Mandy who were on holiday in Weymouth, next time hopefully.

Sailors Info - Portland Marina

Portland is a modern and well equipped marina, costing £36 per night.  There is a Lidl 10 minutes walk away, and a new garage with Budgens, Costa, Greggs etc due to open soon.

The facilities are excellent, with good powerful hairdryers. Wifi was poor.

Castletown is 15 minutes walk, but has few shops.  Portland Castle is on our list for the next visit. 

The marina has the largest dry stack boat storage building we have ever seen.  You would think it would keep the wind off the marina.

As we were mid-Olympics is was interesting to see the National Sailing Academy, where our sailing Olympians are trained.  The local TV News was full of their success and that of Tom Daley, who is from Plymouth.

Rings from the 2012 Games.  The sailing events were located in Weymouth.

We have not seen Portland at its best and will visit in the future.

10th August – Tuesday – Portland to Lymington

On our 9th Wedding Anniversary we set sail at 05.45 to make the 40 miles to Lymington, in the Solent.  It was a very roly morning until we rounded Anvil Point and the tide made us roll less. 

Exiting the East Entrance at Portland.

We swapped Anniversary Cards at Sunrise.

Hurst Point marks the start of the Western end of the Solent.  Timing is paramount to pass through the narrows at slack water.

We arrived in Lymington at 13.00, only taking 7 hours with the tide.  We walked to town and booked a meal for the following night, we would have been too tired that night.

11th August – Wednesday

Hairdressing for both of us in the morning.  Mick went for Fuel and I went food shopping and had a good look around the pretty High Street.

Lymington Town Harbourside.

A quaint street leading from the harbour.

Up the Hill to the High Street.

The sea drain had been featured on local TV the previous night, so I went to find it.  A pump collecting debris in the harbour.  An experiment, that if successful, could be rolled out elsewhere.

My Anniversary bucket of Sangria, The Stanwell House Hotel’s drink of the day.  It was a long meal for lots of reasons but we had a lovely evening and the food was good. 

Sailors Info : Lymington Berthon Marina

Both the Town Quay and the Yacht Haven were full, so we moored at the Berthon Marina, near town.  We knew it was going to be expensive and at £49 per night it was our most expensive yet.

Needless to say the facilities are the best we have experienced so far.  Vanity area with surround mirrors, the works.  You pay for the location and it was a treat.

M&S Food, Tesco Express and Waitrose along the High Street.  Wifi was Good.  Force 4 Chandlers in town.

12th August – Tuesday – Lymington to Island Harbour, Isle of Wight

We were going to meet up with Ferne and Steve who we had met on our first summer sailing season and several times since.

We left Lymington at 11.00am to make the 12 miles to the Isle of Wight.

This trip would not be complete without a close encounter with a ferry or two.

The break water at the end of the River Medina at Cowes has been completed since our last visit.

The old chain ferry from East to West Cowes has been replaced.  Still scary when it sets off in front of you.

There is ‘No Room at the Inn’ at this Cowes Marina.  It has been Cowes Week and the town is still busy.

While heading down river we encountered this beast called ‘Blade Runner Two’, which transports Wind Farm Blades to site from the factory near Newport.

Entering Island Harbour at 14.00, when the lock is on Free Flow.  The harbourmaster, who is located in the ‘space ship’ shaped tower, is contacted on VHF Channel 80 and advises when to enter the narrow channel marked by red buoys next to the pier.  We are given the green light to pass through the lock.

Arriving at 13.45, we just had time to get ship shape before Ferne and Steve arrived.  They were on a hectic schedule and had been kind enough to visit us for a brew and a catch-up.  We are in touch during the year on social media but it was so good to meet up for real.  They gave us a list of ports to visit after we decided to return to the UK in year 1, 2014, when we met in Concarneau, France.  We then kept bumping into them throughout the rest of the season.  An anniversary meal in Cherbourg with them, Malcolm and Eileen was a memorable highlight.

So good to see you both again and look forward to a French rendezvous in the future.

They told us to take the path to Newport along the side of the river to explore Newport which is the administrative capital of the Island.

One thing we did not expect to see today was ‘The Original Spicebus’ from Spiceworld The Movie, which lives at the marina and is rented out as an AirBNB.

The path was provided with EU money and makes a very pleasant route to town.

Newport is at the end of the Medina River from Cowes.  We had Dinner at the ‘Man in the Moon’ Wetherspoons, which is in a converted Church.

After a full day I posted a sunset picture (which I don’t do often), resulting in contact from Martin and Ruth who we met in Dartmouth 5 years ago, when we shared a pontoon for several days during the Dartmouth River Festival.  We knew their boat was at Island Harbour but did not realise they live here.

They came for coffee onboard the following morning and then we decanted to their beautiful house, which has a mooring!!!  Not jealous, much.  And were introduced to Tilly the boat dog.

It was lovely to catch up and find out how they got to be living the Island life.  Island Harbour will definitely be on our list of good stops on the Isle of Wight and we look forward to meeting again, here or afloat.  Thank you for your hospitality, so glad you saw the picture and contacted us.

Time was limited as we were leaving on the afternoon free flow out of the lock at 14.30.  We had to head out to the river pontoons at the Folly Inn, as we needed to leave the following morning before the lock opened.  It was blustery and was a nerve wracking departure from the mooring and exit through the lock, but we made it safely, without incident.

Large pontoons at the Folley Inn (£17 per night) are at least 10 boat lengths long and take boats on each side and are often full and rafted out.  The wind settled later.  Typical.

Sailors Info – Island Harbour, Isle of Wight

£34 per night.  This is a little gem of a marina away from the hubbub of Cowes.  Lovely walks and access to Newport make it a great stop.

Facilities are modern and clean, plug socket in the Laundry room. 

There is an onsite café called Breezes and a Chandlers and shop which sells essentials like bread and milk.

Next Stop Brighton